Jasper County Round Up and Rodeo rides in Colfax

COLFAX — The Jasper County Round Up and Rodeo was full of children dressed in cute outfits and rough and tough cowboys and cowgirls itching to ride Saturday.

The annual event featured its Barnyard Babies, fair queen and princess crowning and the Ty Carlson Memorial Rodeo.

The festivities kicked off with the Barnyard Babies contest inside the 4-H building at the Jasper County Fairgrounds in Colfax. The children were all dressed up in their outfits to be judged on who wore it best and who seemingly looked the cutest.

“I have never been to this part of it. I thought it was really good,” Michelle Lewis of Colfax said.

The crowning of the fair queen and fair princess followed directly after the Barnyard Babies contest. The contestants did multiple dressing contests followed by the crowning.

Andrea Frier of Colfax, said she enjoyed the fair queen contest the most.

“I was more familiar with the candidates,” Frier said. “I am a 4-H leader and one of the candidates is in my club.”

When the candidates took the stage, they answered a series of questions.

Korie Jack-Campbell of Newton, was crowned the 2019 Jasper County Fair Queen.

“I definitely didn’t expect it. I am looking forward to county fair and working with the juniors and Allison definitely,” Campbell said.

Allison Wood of Prairie City, was crowned the 2019 Jasper County fair princess.

“It feels really rewarding just because the fair has given so much to me but now I get my chance to give back to the fair in a way that I’ve never thought possible,” Wood said.

The rodeo started kicking up mud around in the outdoor arena, and there was plenty of people to fill the bleachers.

There was barrel racing and bucking broncs and bulls with rowdy cowboys and cowgirls putting on a show for local residents. There was also a brief preview of mutton bustin’ with more to come at the Jasper County Fair in July.

“We have come every year for like the past three years,” Christian James of Prairie City said as his family watched the bull riders.

The cowboys and cowgirls did their best to hold on to the animals throughout the night even when the threat of rain seemed inevitable.

“(I have) a lot of respect for the athletes,” James said as bull riders continued to come out of the chute.

There were a lot of cheers coming from the stands throughout the night as people were enjoying the show. Even lightning in the distance toward the end of the rodeo didn’t dampen people’s spirits.

“I’m thrilled. We are happy that people turned out for the rodeo and the Carlson family,” Jasper County fair board member Alan Guy said at the end of the night.

The action will continue next month with the Jasper County Fair kicking off July 20 for a week’s worth of activity at the fairgrounds. For more information about the coming events, visit jaspercofair.com.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com